Thousands of doctors are able to continue practicing despite records of serious misconduct that puts patients at risk. / Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY

by Peter Eisler and Barbara Hansen, USA TODAY

by Peter Eisler and Barbara Hansen, USA TODAY

Across the USA, thousands of doctors are still practicing despite misconduct or mistakes that have put patients at risk.

USA TODAY identified 3,027 doctors who were able to keep clean medical licenses despite misconduct that caused hospitals or other health care facilities to restrict or take away their clinical privileges from 2001 to 2011.